Only Us (Justin Fields)

|22| Told You So

Jillian

It comes day for the football scrimmage and you would think it is a real game by the way everyone was acting. I've been here for almost four whole semesters now so I know what it's like during football season. But this isn't even a real game. From the way everyone was reacting you would think that this was going to determine how the whole season will go.

Before we head to the football stadium Justin stops by my apartment. He gives me the passes that would get me down on the field after the game and a ticket to sit with his family.

"Most of the families like to be in the premium seating where it's temperature controlled and away from everyone, but mine are loud and involved. I hope you don't mind" he insists.

"I don't mind at all" I smile.

"Oh! Before I forget, here" he says handing me a bag. Naturally I don't take it because I don't like accepting much of anything. But he was pretty insistent on me taking it.

"What is it" I question.

"Something for you to wear tonight" he assures me.

My face flushed quick as my eyes stay on the bag. I turn around and grab something before turning back. My hand goes into a bag of my own to pull out a jersey. But it wasn't just any jersey it was a white one with his name and number on it.

"You bought that" he gasps.

"I did. The same day you told me about the game" I claim. I know I said I don't like spending money when I don't need to but I thought it would be nice to show support. He was the only reason I was there after all.

He starts to smile like an idiot as my heart beats harder. You would think they've already won. I swear this man will be the death of me.

"I love that. But I'm on the red team for the scrimmage" he says pulling out the red jersey he got me.

"Oh" I chuckle. "I guess I should have asked when I was getting this one" I admit. 

"It's alright. It's still the same name so you can wear whichever one" he shrugs.

I reach over to grab the jersey he got me and my fingers brush against his. He flinched at first but smiled before taking my hand and putting the jersey in it.

"Thank you" I say softly.

"Of course. If you want to get changed we will pick up my family and head over to the stadium. You're driving" he claims.

"Great" I mumble. He was determined to help me get my license. And I was determined not to let him down.

I get changed and style my hair a little. After some makeup and perfume I was ready to go. We pick up his family and get to the stadium really early. Justin had to go and sign autographs and be with the team but I had no issues being stuck with his sisters.

We walk around the stadium that was pretty empty so far. I honestly had never been here before it was huge. Larger than I could have imagined. A little eerie to be honest with you. It was so quiet.

"So, how have you been" Jaiden asks as we stroll behind their parents.

"I've been doing well, mostly thanks to your brother" I insist.

Between his two sisters I've gotten closer with Jaiden. Mostly because she was around a lot where Jess is out doing her own thing. Jai was a lot like Justin which explains why I got pulled to her. We shared a lot of common interests too like music and fashion. It was nice to have someone I felt so comfortable with besides Justin.

"You know my brother really likes you" she mentions as we fall behind the rest of her family.

"I don't think that's true" I shake my head. He shouldn't. He can't.

"But it's true! It has to be. He's never even mentioned a girl before and he hasn't stopped talking about you. You're the only person he has dared introducing his family to. And he never takes off that bracelet you made him. Never" she claims.

"That doesn't necessarily mean that he likes me" I try.

"Are you insane" she laughs. "He's absolutely infatuated with you. When you figured out he was vegan he practically called me crying he was so happy. He said he found someone who actually sees him as the man he wants to be. And you accept him even if you don't always agree with the way he sees things. You listen to his side and take into consideration how he feels. It's refreshing. You might not be able to see it, you guys might be too close to get the whole picture. But that man out there, he doesn't want to live without you" she claims.

I start to play with the bottom of the jersey as I stare at the ground. I want to believe her. And part of me knows what she said was true. But I couldn't allow myself to think that way. Actions based on feeling just never work out for me.

"I hope you're right" I say with a sad smile.

We make it to the seats and the doors open to the public. It wasn't long before the whole stadium was buzzing. This definitely wasn't my scene. It was about 100,000 more people than I can handle. But it was pretty cool. Coming to this school I didn't even know about the culture that the football team gave this university. But most things run through the football program. It didn't take much for me to learn that. I guess I'll finally get to see what it's all about.

"There he is" his mom cheers.

I turn to the field to find Justin warming up. It was a little hard to find him since half of them were wearing the same thing. But it doesn't take me too long to locate him. He takes his helmet off and starts to scan the crowd. When he gets to where we were he stops and smiles. I remember that smile from the first day we met. Genuine, so full of hope. I would do anything to keep that smile on his face.

He waves our way and I just admire from a far.

"Are you going to wave back" his mom asks me.

"He was waving at everyone" I try.

"No sweetie, that was definitely for you" she smiles.

I do as I'm told and wave back. He starts to wave even faster making me laugh. It was kind of cute.

The scrimmage starts and I try my best to follow along. I've seen probably one football game in my entire life and that wasn't on free will. So Jaiden and her sister Jessica explain it to me. They got really into it and would chant with the crowd. I kept to myself like always but I tried to remember as much as I could. It actually wasn't awful. Football is a beautiful game. Watching them out there was awesome and I got better at locating Justin as time went on.

The game ends and Justin's team wins. There was fireworks and the band playing, the atmosphere was electric. It didn't take long for people to file out and I stayed back per Jaiden's request. We talk for a while before Justin runs over. He had a football in his hand and that black stuff all over his face.

"There she is" he says as he comes over to me. He stops on the other side of the barricade and hands me a the ball.

"Do you want me to hold it for you" I ask earning some chuckles from around me.

"I want you to have it. It's a football tradition to give someone you care about the game ball" he explains.

I fight the smile off for all of half a second before it grows like a flower on my face. "Oh" I say softly as I take the ball from him.

He goes to give his parents a hug but my concern was Jaiden next to me.

"Told you so" she teases.